Tag Archives: to read

Shelf Control #259: Wayward Pines trilogy by Black Crouch

Posted in Shelf Control by
Shelves final

Welcome to Shelf Control — an original feature created and hosted by Bookshelf Fantasies.

Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up! For more info on what Shelf Control is all about, check out my introductory post, here.

Want to join in? Shelf Control posts go up every Wednesday. See the guidelines at the bottom of the post, and jump on board!

Book 1: Pines (2012; 303 pages)
Book 2: Wayward (2013; 298 pages)
Book 3: The Last Town (2014; 294 pages)

What it’s about (synopsis for Pines – via Goodreads):

Wayward Pines, Idaho, is quintessential small-town America–or so it seems. Secret Service agent Ethan Burke arrives in search of two missing federal agents, yet soon is facing much more than he bargained for. After a violent accident lands him in the hospital, Ethan comes to with no ID and no cell phone. The medical staff seems friendly enough, but sometimes feels…off. As days pass, Ethan’s investigation into his colleagues’ disappearance turns up more questions than answers

WHY CAN’T HE MAKE CONTACT WITH HIS FAMILY IN THE OUTSIDE WORLD? WHY DOESN’T ANYONE BELIEVE HE IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS? AND WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF THE ELECTRIFIED FENCES ENCIRCLING THE TOWN? ARE THEY KEEPING THE RESIDENTS IN? OR SOMETHING ELSE OUT?

Each step toward the truth takes Ethan further from the world he knows, until he must face a horrifying fact—he may never get out of Wayward Pines alive…..

How and when I got it:

I grabbed the entire trilogy during a Kindle price drop a few years ago.

Why I want to read it:

I never watched the Wayward Pines series while it was on TV (two seasons) and was only vaguely aware of it, but after reading Blake Crouch’s fabulous Dark Matter in 2016, I knew I needed to read more by this author. The Wayward Pines books sound eerie and mysterious. What is going on in this town? Why is it cut off? I love how sinister (and potentially King-like) the plots sound, and I’ve really been looking forward to reading the books.

This could be another series to add to my goals list for 2021!

What do you think? Have you read these books or seen the TV adaptation?

Please share your thoughts!


Life In The Book Lane
Literary Potpourri
Reviews Feed



__________________________________

Want to participate in Shelf Control? Here’s how:

  • Write a blog post about a book that you own that you haven’t read yet.
  • Add your link in the comments or link back from your own post, so I can add you to the participant list.
  • Check out other posts, and…

Have fun!

The Monday Check-In ~ 3/8/2021

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

Life.

What a whirlwind couple of weeks it’s been! I’m still on the East Coast, flying home tomorrow. After a brief quarantine and a negative COVID test, post-flight, I’ve been able to visit my dad every day while here, which feels like an absolute blessing.

Thanks to my sister, I’ve also been transformed! Well, in terms of appearance, anyway. After a year of no salon visits and no hair coloring, my sister convinced me that I am just too young (LOL) for that much white hair. Et voila! Here are my before and after shots:

What did I read during the last week?

Not much, actually. Between family time and trying to work all the rest of the time, I’ve barely been reading. But here’s what I managed to get through:

Emily’s Quest by L. M. Montgomery: I finished the Emily Starr trilogy, and just can’t recommend these books highly enough! Beautiful reading experience. My wrap-up post is here.

An Unexpected Peril by Deanna Raybourn: So much fun! I love this series. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I watched the 3rd Lara Jean movie on Netflix!

So cute! The first one is still my favorite, but I liked this a lot.

Fresh Catch:

No new books while I’m away… but I know a few are waiting for me back at home.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales: A little YA to start the week.

Now playing via audiobook:

Sweetshop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan: I needed something sweet and light to keep me company on the treadmill this week, and Jenny Colgan books are perfect!

Ongoing reads:
  • Outlander Book Club is re-reading Outlander! We’re reading and discussing one chapter per week. This week: Chapter 39, “To Ransom A Man’s Soul”. This is a tough chapter. I’m not actually looking forward to re-reading it…
  • Our group classic read is part 2 of Don Quixote. Continuing onward, 3 chapters per week. Current status: 75%.

So many books, so little time…

boy1

Shelf Control #258: The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

Posted in Shelf Control by
Shelves final

Welcome to Shelf Control — an original feature created and hosted by Bookshelf Fantasies.

Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up! For more info on what Shelf Control is all about, check out my introductory post, here.

Want to join in? Shelf Control posts go up every Wednesday. See the guidelines at the bottom of the post, and jump on board!

Title: The Alice Network
Author: Kate Quinn
Published: 2017
Length: 503 pages

What it’s about (synopsis via Goodreads):

In an enthralling new historical novel from national bestselling author Kate Quinn, two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption.

1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She’s also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie’s parents banish her to Europe to have her “little problem” taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister.

1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she’s recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she’s trained by the mesmerizing Lili, code name Alice, the “queen of spies”, who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy’s nose.

Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn’t heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth…no matter where it leads.

How and when I got it:

I bought a paperback about two years ago.

Why I want to read it:

I think I’m the only person who hasn’t read The Alice Network! I know it’s been incredibly popular with book groups and book bloggers. I’m a fan of historical fiction, and of course there are so many excellent novels set against the backdrop of the World Wars. I love seeing strong female characters taking on unusual roles, and the synopsis makes this story of a women’s spy ring sound thrilling.

I’ve been seeing a lot of buzz for Kate Quinn’s upcoming new release, The Rose Code, and feel like I should read The Alice Network (finally!) before trying to score a copy of her new book.

What do you think? Have you read The Alice Network? And if not, would you want to?

Please share your thoughts!


Literary Potpourri


__________________________________

Want to participate in Shelf Control? Here’s how:

  • Write a blog post about a book that you own that you haven’t read yet.
  • Add your link in the comments or link back from your own post, so I can add you to the participant list.
  • Check out other posts, and…

Have fun!

The Monday Check-In ~ 3/1/2021

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

Life.

Did anyone else grow up saying this on the 1st of the month? It’s something we all did at summer camp way back when, and the habit has stayed with me all these years…

Anyway… I’m on the East Coast! Greetings, folks in the Eastern time zone! I’ve been here for a week now. After arriving safely (with a flight that felt much better than I expected it to), I took another COVID test (negative), and was finally able to start my visits with my dad at his nursing home over the weekend. The rules are really strict and I have to put on full PPE each time, but it’s worth it.

What did I read during the last week?

An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn: Oh, the Bridgertons books are such fun! This is #3 — my review is here.

Emily Climbs by L. M. Montgomery: The 2nd book in the Emily Starr trilogy, just as sweet as the first. I plan to write up my thoughts on the trilogy after I finish the 3rd book.

The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan: Heartwarming historical fiction. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I’m all caught up with Queen Sugar! Season 5 is now airing on OWN, and it’s amazing so far. From the trailer, it looks like season 5 will be very much rooted in the real-world events of 2020. Looks like it’ll be incredibly powerful. (And if you haven’t watched Queen Sugar yet, please do yourself a favor and start! The first four seasons are available on Hulu.)

I’ve also been watching Miss Scarlet and the Duke this week, and it’s been a fun diversion.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week! Which is 100% fine, since I’ll never catch up with all the books I already have on my shelves.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

An Unexpected Peril by Deanna Raybourn: A new Veronica Speedwell book is always reason to cheer! Judging by the opening lines, it’s going to be a lot of fun:

“Stoker, I cannot say that I care much for your goat. He is leering at me.”

Now playing via audiobook:

Emily’s Quest by L. M. Montgomery: The 3rd book in the Emily Starr trilogy. I’m a little obsessed at this point.

Ongoing reads:
  • Outlander Book Club is re-reading Outlander! We’re reading and discussing one chapter per week. This week: Chapter 38, “The Abbey”. 
  • Our group classic read is part 2 of Don Quixote. Continuing onward, 3 chapters per week. Current status: 73%.

So many books, so little time…

boy1

Shelf Control #257: Thinner by Stephen King

Posted in Shelf Control by
Shelves final

Welcome to Shelf Control — an original feature created and hosted by Bookshelf Fantasies.

Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up! For more info on what Shelf Control is all about, check out my introductory post, here.

Want to join in? Shelf Control posts go up every Wednesday. See the guidelines at the bottom of the post, and jump on board!

Title: Thinner
Author: Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman)
Published: 1984
Length: 188 pages

What it’s about (synopsis via Goodreads):

Billy Halleck, good husband, loving father, is both beneficiary and victim of the American Good Life: he has an expensive home, a nice family, and a rewarding career as a lawyer…but he is also fifty pounds overweight and, as his doctor keeps reminding him, edging into heart attack country.

Then, in a moment of carelessness, Billy sideswipes an old gypsy woman as she is crossing the street–and her ancient father passes a bizarre and terrible judgement on him.

“Thinner,” the old gypsy man whispers, and caresses his cheek, like a lover. Just one word…but six weeks later and ninety-three pounds lighter, Billy Halleck is more than worried. He’s terrified. And desperate enough for one last gamble…that will lead him to a nightmare showdown with the forces of evil melting his flesh away. And away. And away…

How and when I got it:

I picked up a used copy about a year ago.

Why I want to read it:

Sooner or later, I want to read everything by Stephen King! I remember hearing about Thinner for years and years, and after reading King’s more recent book Elevation, I saw a lot of reviews comparing it to the concepts from Thinner. I need to see what I’ve been missing all these years!

What do you think? Would you read this book?

Please share your thoughts!


Literary Potpourri


__________________________________

Want to participate in Shelf Control? Here’s how:

  • Write a blog post about a book that you own that you haven’t read yet.
  • Add your link in the comments or link back from your own post, so I can add you to the participant list.
  • Check out other posts, and…

Have fun!

The Monday Check-In ~ 2/22/2021

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

Life.

As you read this, I’m probably on a plane! I’m traveling to the East Coast today for a two-week stay so I can visit my elderly father for the first time in a year. Fortunately, he and all the residents of his nursing home have been vaccinated, but I’ll still need to quarantine for a bit upon arrival before visiting. Basically, I’ll just be working as usual during the days, just from a new remote location!

What did I read during the last week?

The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey: Loved it. My review is here.

Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery: Such a sweet, enjoyable audiobook! I’m going to hold off on writing a review until I finish the trilogy.

Calculated Risks by Seanan McGuire: The 10th book in the super-fun InCryptid series. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

My Queen Sugar binge continues! I’m nearing the send of season 4, which means I’m almost caught up! Excellent, excellent show.

On a sillier note, my son convinced me to watch The Gentlemen with him, and I have to admit — much to my surprise — I enjoyed it. Really violent and inappropriate in so many ways, but we still had fun.

Puzzle of the week:

Challenging but fun… except ARGH — there was a piece missing at the end!

Fresh Catch:

Hurray for an advanced copy of this book:

Looks amazing!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Bouncing between two very different books at the moment:

The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan: I’m just starting, but since I loved the author’s previous two novels (The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir and The Spies of Shilling Lane), I have very high hopes that I’ll love this one too!

An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn: I couldn’t resist starting yet another Bridgertons book (#3) — perfect airplane reading!

Now playing via audiobook:

Emily Climbs by L. M. Montgomery: The 2nd book in the Emily Starr trilogy. Very sweet!

Ongoing reads:
  • Outlander Book Club is re-reading Outlander! We’re reading and discussing one chapter per week. This week: Chapter 37, “Escape”. 
  • Our current classic read is part 2 of Don Quixote. Continuing onward, 3 chapters per week. We’ll be done in May, so it’s starting to feel like the end is in sight.

So many books, so little time…

boy1

Shelf Control #256: Six Months, Three Days, Five Others by Charlie Jane Anders

Posted in Shelf Control by
Shelves final

Welcome to Shelf Control — an original feature created and hosted by Bookshelf Fantasies.

Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up! For more info on what Shelf Control is all about, check out my introductory post, here.

Want to join in? Shelf Control posts go up every Wednesday. See the guidelines at the bottom of the post, and jump on board!

Title: Six Months, Three Days, Five Others
Author: Charlie Jane Anders
Published: 2017
Length: 188 pages

What it’s about (synopsis via Goodreads):

Before the success of her debut SF-and-fantasy novel All the Birds in the Sky, Charlie Jane Anders was a rising star in SF and fantasy short fiction. Collected in a mini-book format, here–for the first time in print–are six of her quirky, wry, engaging best:

In -The Fermi Paradox Is Our Business Model, – aliens reveal the terrible truth about how humans were created–and why we’ll never discover aliens.

-As Good as New- is a brilliant twist on the tale of three wishes, set after the end of the world.

-Intestate- is about a family reunion in which some attendees aren’t quite human anymore–but they’re still family.

-The Cartography of Sudden Death- demonstrates that when you try to solve a problem with time travel, you now have two problems.

-Six Months, Three Days- is the story of the love affair between a man who can see the one true foreordained future, and a woman who can see all the possible futures. They’re both right, and the story won the 2012 Hugo Award for Best Novelette.

And -Clover, – exclusively written for this collection, is a coda to All the Birds in the Sky, answering the burning question of what happened to Patricia’s cat. 

How and when I got it:

I bought this book when it came out in 2017.

Why I want to read it:

Put this in the “judging a book by its cover” category. When I saw an announcement about Tor releasing certain books as mini-hardcovers, I was completely charmed. This is one of several I bought on the spot, because it’s just so cute! But not only that — I’ve enjoyed Charlie Jane Anders’s writing for years, going back to her days on the io9 forum. More recently, I read and loved All the Birds in the Sky, at which point I knew I’d have to keep reading whatever she wrote!

I don’t tend to gravitate toward short story collections, but this one does sound amazing! I love the descriptions of the different stories, and think I just needed a reminder (like, for instance, writing this post) to motivate me to take this book off the shelf and actually start reading it.

What do you think? Would you read this book?

Please share your thoughts!


Literary Potpourri
Life In The Book Lane


__________________________________

Want to participate in Shelf Control? Here’s how:

  • Write a blog post about a book that you own that you haven’t read yet.
  • Add your link in the comments or link back from your own post, so I can add you to the participant list.
  • Check out other posts, and…

Have fun!

The Monday Check-In ~ 2/15/2021

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

Life.

Three day weekend! Funny how excited I am about basically another day to spend in my house. Woo hoo!

What did I read during the last week?

The Future Is Yours by Dan Frey: A fast, exciting techno-thriller. My review is here.

Meg & Jo by Virginia Kantra: Little Women retold! Really enjoyable. My review is here.

The Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger: Non-fiction, and fascinating “for writers, readers, and fans of pop culture”. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

Finished season 2 of Queen Sugar, and continued straight on to season 3. This show is excellent!

And in the category of good, silly fun — Men in Kilts premiered on Starz this weekend! A can’t-miss for Outlander fans.

Puzzle of the week:

Another fun one! This one was way more challenging than I expected it to be.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week. That’s two weeks in a row! Not that I’m in any danger of running out of reading material…

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey: As of late Sunday, I’m at 80%, and loving it! Can’t wait to see how it turns out.

Now playing via audiobook:

Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery: One of my 2021 reading goals is to read the Emily trilogy, and I’m glad to be getting started! I’m really enjoying book #1 so far.

Ongoing reads:
  • Outlander Book Club is re-reading Outlander! We’re reading and discussing one chapter per week. This week: Chapter 36, “MacRannoch”. 
  • Our current classic read is part 2 of Don Quixote. It’s so nice to be caught up! We’re reading three chapters per week, and it’s actually pretty fun these days.

So many books, so little time…

boy1

Shelf Control #255: Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook by Christina Henry

Posted in Shelf Control by
Shelves final

Welcome to Shelf Control — an original feature created and hosted by Bookshelf Fantasies.

Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up! For more info on what Shelf Control is all about, check out my introductory post, here.

Want to join in? Shelf Control posts go up every Wednesday. See the guidelines at the bottom of the post, and jump on board!

Title: Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook
Author: Christina Henry
Published: 2017
Length: 292 pages

What it’s about (synopsis via Goodreads):

From the national bestselling author of Alice comes a familiar story with a dark hook—a tale about Peter Pan and the friend who became his nemesis, a nemesis who may not be the blackhearted villain Peter says he is…

There is one version of my story that everyone knows. And then there is the truth. This is how it happened. How I went from being Peter Pan’s first—and favorite—lost boy to his greatest enemy.

Peter brought me to his island because there were no rules and no grownups to make us mind. He brought boys from the Other Place to join in the fun, but Peter’s idea of fun is sharper than a pirate’s sword. Because it’s never been all fun and games on the island. Our neighbors are pirates and monsters. Our toys are knife and stick and rock—the kinds of playthings that bite.

Peter promised we would all be young and happy forever. Peter lies.

How and when I got it:

I bought a copy via Book Depository about a year ago.

Why I want to read it:

I’ve read three books by Christina Henry so far. My first was The Girl in Red (a re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood), which I loved. Then I read The Mermaid, and I loved that too. I immediately ordered a few earlier books, including Alice and Lost Boy.

Unfortunately, I lost a bit of steam after reading Alice, which I didn’t enjoy. The story was too messy and violent for my taste, but I think one obstacle to my enjoyment is that I’ve just never gotten into Alice in Wonderland stories (and there are lots of retellings out there). And if you don’t enjoy the original story story, how can you enjoy a remix?

This is why I’ve been a bit hesitant about reading Lost Boy. I’m just not a bit fan of Peter Pan, and I’ve picked up and then put down a couple of retellings over the years too. Still, I know I’ve really liked the author’s writing and approach to storytelling in other books — and I do like the idea of telling the Peter Pan story through Captain Hook’s perspective.

What do you think? Have you read this book? Would you want to?

And how do you feel about Peter Pan stories in general?

Please share your thoughts!


Literary Potpourri


__________________________________

Want to participate in Shelf Control? Here’s how:

  • Write a blog post about a book that you own that you haven’t read yet.
  • Add your link in the comments or link back from your own post, so I can add you to the participant list.
  • Check out other posts, and…

Have fun!

The Monday Check-In ~ 2/8/2021

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

Life.

Happy anniversary to us! Today is our 23rd anniversary!! My husband and I haven’t really figured out how to celebrate, since fancy dinners out aren’t really an option right now. I think I’m going to take a day off this week so we can drive somewhere pretty and go for a hike or a picnic. We’ll see. Meanwhile, I’m just feeling grateful for all the wonderful years together!

What did I read during the last week?

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah: A 5-star read! My review is here.

Game Changer by Neal Shusterman: Thought-provoking YA. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I am loving Queen Sugar! I’m on season 2, and just can’t stop.

Puzzle of the week:

Yay! I finished a puzzle! 

Such a pretty image. I’d like to go here now, please.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week. Amazing restraint, right?

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Future Is Yours by Dan Frey: Just starting!

Now playing via audiobook:

Meg & Jo by Virginia Kantra: My book group’s pick for February. Almost done… should be able to post a review in the next couple of days.

Ongoing reads:
  • Outlander Book Club is re-reading Outlander! We’re reading and discussing one chapter per week. This week: Chapter 35, “Wentworth Prison”. Deep breaths…
  • Our current classic read is part 2 of Don Quixote. It’s so nice to be caught up! We’re reading three chapters per week, and it’s actually pretty fun these days.
  • I’m slowly reading The Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger. Progress! I read a few chapters this week, so I’m now at about 60%. Interesting stuff!

So many books, so little time…

boy1